FIFA World Cup 2014: 50 Players with 20 Caps or Fewer Who Could Star in Brazil

The 2014 FIFA World Cup is a little under two months away, and most of the column inches over the coming weeks will likely be devoted to those established star names who could have a big say in how far their nation goes in the tournament.

With the likes of Gigi Buffon, Steven Gerrard, Xavi Hernandez and Bastian Schweinsteiger all having more than a century of caps for their respective countries, there's a reason they receive more attention than most: they're very, very good and have been for a long time.

But what of those supporting acts, the players who have only recently established themselves on the international scene?

There are always a few who manage to find a place in the squad despite not having a wealth of international experience behind them, and it's those players who—perhaps less prepared for by the opposition or simply coming into form at the right time—can sometimes be the ones who make the biggest difference.

Here are 50 such players who could easily make a huge impact at the finals in Brazil.

Criteria and Honourable Mentions

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Players with 20 caps or fewer at the international level are eligible for selection.

Fewer, and we run the risk of minimising the talent pool. Any more and we begin to see those who have been squad players for an extended period of time and made plenty of appearances in friendlies, but make little impact beyond offering versatility or "solidity" in the games that actually matter.

Other than that, any player is open to consideration as long as their nation has qualified for Brazil 2014.

Players are not ranked. Instead, the list is ordered by World Cup groups.

Honourable Mentions

Julian Draxler, Germany

Miguel Layun, Mexico

Marco Verratti, Italy

El Arbi Hillel Soudani, Algeria

Jordan Henderson, England

Jo, Brazil

Note: Christian Benteke of Belgium was originally on the list of 50 but will now miss the World Cup through injury.

Thanks to Sam Tighe, Gianni Verschueren, Maher Mazahi, John Halloran and Chris Atkins for their input.

Fernandinho, Brazil

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Kicking off in Group A, hosts Brazil have a settled squad by and large, with much of their starting XI also known.

A double pivot in midfield has seen the likes of Luiz Gustavo and Paulinho feature frequently, but Fernandinho has been in superlative form this season and is almost without doubt the best of the four likely to be in the squad.

He has a great chance to be a regular starter right from the opening game and can provide both the defensive shield and the thrusting runs from deep to help his nation win matches. He has six caps to date.

Mateo Kovacic, Croatia

Mateo Kovacic isn't a finished product—he's not even an immovable part of the Croatia side yet—but there's no doubt he has the ability to make a big impact on the world stage.

His eight caps so far include a start in the all-important second leg of the World Cup play-off, while this season at Inter Milan has seen him operate in both deep and advanced central midfield playmaking roles.

Kovacic has great technique on the ball and is capable of finding men in space in the final third. How good the Croatian forwards are, in the absence of Mario Mandzukic, might be key to getting the best out of the 19-year-old.

Luis Montes, Mexico

Ross Setford

Mexico next, and their midfielder Luis Montes.

A versatile player who can play across the middle of the pitch, he was involved in the intercontinental play-off matches that saw Mexico through to Brazil, and helped to take him to 11 caps in total so far.

Tidy in possession from the centre of midfield, he is efficient on the ball, likes to play it simple and stitches the play together very well. Montes is capable of looking to release the strikers and find them in space with his accurate passing.

Joel Matip, Cameroon

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Joel Matip is an aggressive and athletic player with 18 caps to his name to date, who operates in both a holding midfield role and at centre-back, where he usually features for his club side, Schalke 04.

The tall defender already featured at the 2010 World Cup, when he travelled as an 18-year-old with just one cap to his name at the time.

Calm in possession and improving in his reading of the game, he can still be impetuous and rash at times, but he's also commanding and quick to cover the ground.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Spain

Spanish full-back Cesar Azpilicueta has made a late run to break into the squad and stands a good chance of actually being the starting right-back after Alvaro Arbeloa's injury.

Dani Carvajal will be his competition, but providing cover on the left side as well and being more solid defensively might get Azpilicueta the nod.

He has just five caps to his name thus far, but is dependable, composed in possession and difficult to beat in a ground duel. He's been a stand-out player at Chelsea this season and would add plenty of quality to Spain's back line.

Diego Costa, Spain

Diego Costa is one of the most in-form forwards in Europe this season, but he will travel to the World Cup utterly inexperienced on the international stage.

After a protracted switch, he has changed national sides from Brazil to Spain and only recently made his first appearance for the country.

Strong, aggressive and very direct, Costa offers a somewhat different approach to many of the other options in the side, though he also has good link up skills and, of course, a great goalscoring record this season.

Koke, Spain

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Koke is still facing a bit of a battle to make the plane, but his versatility and consistency could well swing a place for him in the super-competitive Spanish national squad.

A wonderfully creative and talented footballer, Koke can play in central midfield in any role, wider in midfield as an influential yet hard-working playmaker or even at right-back as he roves forward with confidence.

The Atletico Madrid man has seven caps to date. Should he add to that in the World Cup, don't be surprised to see a big fuss made over him. He has all the tools in his locker.

Stefan De Vrij, Netherlands

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Netherlands will head to the World Cup with something of a contrasting side: a defensive half of the side mostly in transition with inexperienced players, and a top-quality, established attacking half of the field with immense proven talent.

A key part of that new back line over the coming seasons will be Stefan de Vrij, a talented central defender with Feyenoord. At 22 years of age, he has so far won nine senior international caps but played a big part in the qualifiers and could conceivably start as a first choice in the World Cup.

Jordy Clasie, Netherlands

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Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie probably would have gone to the World Cup as a squad player, but the injury to Kevin Strootman might open up the chance for him to start.

Playing as a central midfielder, Clasie can boast a bit of everything in his repertoire: good use of the ball, a combative style to win back possession, the vision and technique to have an impact going forward and—when tactics allow—the ability to break further forward himself.

Charles Aranguiz, Chile

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Chilean midfielder Charles Aranguiz has an interesting club situation: he was 50 per cent owned by Udinese, played for Universidad de Chile until January, saw Udinese purchase the remaining 50 per cent so that he would join up with the Italians after the World Cup, before he was then loaned to Brazilian side Internacional for six months.

The Brazilians also have an option to buy him permanently.

A versatile and energetic midfielder, he can control the game from a central position or operate from the right wing. Capable of scoring goals, too, he has already found the net for Internacional in their Gaucho Campeonato matches.

Aranguiz can be a good option for Chile. He may not start, but he is a potential game changer for them with his direct running and penetration.

Mitchell Langerak, Australia

Australia's goalkeeper position is entirely up for grabs, with Mark Schwarzer having retired.

The two favourites are 21-year-old Mathew Ryan and 25-year-old Mitch Langerak. They have a combined tally of eight caps between them, with Langerak managing only three thus far.

We'll go for him to get the nod, though, as he has experience in bigger tournaments as Borussia Dortmund's second-choice stopper.

He'll certainly be busy in a group containing the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Robin van Persie and Alvaro Negredo preparing to fire shots at him, and he'll need to come up trumps if Australia are to have any hopes of progressing.

Edwin Valencia, Colombia

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Colombian defensive midfielder Edwin Valencia is likely to be one of those tasked with protecting the back line in the World Cup, while the line ahead provide the direct and pacy support to the strikers.

The Fluminense player has won 15 caps to date and has been involved in recent games, suggesting he may be one of the starters for his nation once the tournament kicks off.

However, his involvement may depend on the shape that Colombia boss Jose Pekerman opts to start with in midfield. But, in a double pivot, his strengths could prove important to his team's style of play.

Carlos Bacca, Colombia

Juan Karita

With Falcao struggling to make the finals due to his injury, a striker space has opened up for Colombia. The likes of Adrian Ramos and Luis Muriel might be hoping to get it, but Sevilla striker Carlos Bacca has been in fine form all season and could easily find himself starting up front.

Compact and strong, with good initial acceleration, Bacca knows how to position himself well behind defenders and is composed enough in the finish to take his chances.

Kostas Manolas, Greece

Kostas Manolas is more or less the third-choice centre-back for Greece at present, but the 22-year-old still started three matches in qualifying and Greece kept a clean sheet in each.

He played a supporting role in the play-offs, too, coming off the bench in the second leg. With just six caps to his name, he is still inexperienced, but Champions League football with Olympiacos and a series of commanding performances make him a big candidate to lead the defence very soon.

Any injury or tactical switch from the coach could see him installed as the leader in a notoriously defensive-minded side.

Yoichiro Kakitani, Japan

Japan have given so many forwards a chance in recent squads that their front line is not that easy to predict, but the ability and goalscoring record of Yoichiro Kakitani makes him a standout figure.

Four goals in his nine senior appearances for Japan is not a bad start for the 24-year-old, while his last appearance against the Netherlands in November 2013 was an excellent display of both technique and movement.

Gotoku Sakai, Japan

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Gotoku Sakai is another Japanese international who has impressed this term. The Stuttgart defender is a sure bet for the squad, though he'll have his work cut out to start at right-back ahead of Atsuto Uchida.

Versatility and perhaps more ability on the ball going forward are traits in Sakai's favour, though, with the American-born full-back capable of making driving runs and linking play with style down the flank.

Daniel Sturridge, England

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Liverpool and England team-mate Daniel Sturridge is another who, like Sterling, has enjoyed a fantastic campaign. He's scored an average of a goal every 96 minutes in league play this season, but his game is far from all about finishing.

Good link-up play, great pace and power, vision in dropping deep and an ability to hold the ball up and allow onrushing attackers to join in are all in his repertoire.

Adam Lallana, England

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Adam Lallana is something of a fan favourite for the English national team at present, with his great footwork and regular contribution to Southampton's impressive season among the merits for his inclusion in the England squad.

If he gets the nod to start or is turned to from the bench, Lallana has the confidence and form to beat defenders, create chances from just outside the penalty area and even get himself on the scoresheet.

His time on the pitch will be in part decided by the tactics the team employs, but he can certainly play a big part if he's given the chance.

Antonio Candreva, Italy

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With 19 caps, Antonio Candreva has had a struggle to establish himself as a regular at club level in his career, but since joining Lazio he has gone from strength to strength and can now be considered a big positive for the Italian squad.

Playing mainly on the wing, his powerful driving runs and ability to cross or beat a man make him a tough opponent, while his stamina and hard work also offer Italy tactical flexibility.

At 27 years of age, this could certainly be his only World Cup, and he'll want to make a big impression. He has the form and capability to do so.

Mattia De Sciglio, Italy

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Mattia De Sciglio has had a season interrupted by injury, but when fit he's been one of the better performers in a poor AC Milan team.

Presuming he recovers full fitness and consistency by the end of the campaign, he should be in place to add to his nine Italy caps. He is a technical and aggressive right-back with the ability to bring the ball out of defence.

Thiago Motta, Italy

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That Thiago Motta only has 19 caps for Italy is partly an outrage against his talent and partly a nod of appreciation to those he battles to play alongside.

Playing mainly as a holding midfielder, of course, he sees the deepest midfield slot taken by the altogether other-worldly talents of Andrea Pirlo, but Motta can nonetheless play an important protective role if he operates just ahead in the centre of midfield.

His participation might depend on whether Italy play 3-5-2 or 4-3-3, but he'll certainly bring an awful lot of control and force to the side when he features.

Mario Gavranovic, Switzerland

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Up front, Switzerland still have something of a dilemma to solve: they don't really have a recognised first choice striker, and certainly not one who guarantees goals.

During qualification, they only had two matches in which forwards scored, and on both occasions that was Mario Gavranovic. The Zurich attacker will likely get the chance to lead the line, and he'll have to deliver to help see Switzerland through a tough group.

Antoine Griezmann, France

Next up is Antoine Griezmann, who may not even make the squad—but if he does, he can be a match-winner for France.

Just one cap to his name so far is due in part to an international suspension he received at under-21 level, which meant he couldn't feature for the seniors either.

The left-footed attacking midfielder is a great player, though. Fast, able to beat a man and ever-improving in his final-third productivity, Griezmann has the ability to make the World Cup his breakthrough tournament on the global stage.

Laurent Koscielny, France

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Laurent Koscielny has 15 French caps to his name at this point and will be a likely starter at centre-back for his nation.

Koscielny is prone to lapses in concentration or dawdling on the ball at times, but he's also a great reader of play and is proactive in his defending, often snuffing out danger before forwards have a chance to react and get a shot away.

France will really benefit from this and his subsequent distribution into midfield, especially if he is partnered with...

Kenneth Omeruo, Nigeria

Natacha Pisarenko

Young Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo is one of several Chelsea players learning his trade out on loan at present, but he looks like one of those who could actually return to his parent side and make the grade.

Comfortable playing either centrally or at right-back, he's already racked up 11 caps for his country at just 20 years of age.

He could play a big part in their World Cup campaign, and he has the confidence and the aura about him to be a leader of the side, despite his young age.

Victor Moses, Nigeria

Just as importantly, if Nigeria are to have any kind of impact at the finals they will need their attacking players to fire.

Victor Moses has had a frustrating season at club level but has already performed well for Nigeria on the big stage, scoring five goals in 14 matches so far at international level.

The wide forward brings pace and strength to the attack, but also an eye for goal and plenty of confidence on the ball. Nigeria can get out of their group if they pick up a good result against Bosnia in particular, so goals are a must.

Lars Bender, Germany

Frank Augstein

Lars Bender will possibly only initially be in the squad as back-up for the likes of Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger, but he has plenty of talents which could see him utilised off the bench against sides who will rely on power and energy to compete in the group.

An excellent box-to-box or ball-winning midfielder sitting in the centre, Bender distributes the ball well and is also versatile enough to play from the flank of the pitch, both defensively and in midfield.

William Carvalho, Portugal

In case you hadn't noticed, there's been a lot of talk about William Carvalho of late—what with potential big-money transfers and all.

The thing is, he's not yet even a regular at the international level. He's made just two appearances for Portugal so far, aged 22, with his only start coming in a friendly.

Despite that, he clearly has an abundance of talent. Carvalho is a regularly impressive performer for Sporting and offers plenty of athleticism and power that is perhaps lacking in a Portugal midfield that's big on experience but low on particularly agile and aggressive legs.

Let's tip Carvalho to have a big impact, even though he might not be a starter straight off.

Islam Slimani, Algeria

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A likely starter at the centre of the Algerian attack, Islam Slimani has an impressive record of nine goals in his first 18 caps at international level, with the 25-year-old also finding the target nine times domestically this season.

Slimani holds the ball up well and can bring others into play from the wider areas, but his real value is in his aerial ability and threat on goal from such situations.

Algeria will need him to be firing to escape a tricky but surmountable Group H.

Aleksandr Kokorin, Russia

Dmitry Lovetsky

Another starting striker in Group H will probably be Aleksandr Kokorin, who after a summer of strange transfers—Dinamo to Anzhi and back again—hasn't quite hit the heights of previous years but still has enough to be Russia's best offensive weapon.

The 23-year-old has 19 caps so far and will expect to add plenty more to the five goals he has so far managed, especially if he starts as the No. 1 striker ahead of the more-experienced Aleksandr Kerzhakov.

Good movement and composed finishing are usually part of the package Kokorin brings.

Viktor Fayzulin, Russia

Yves Logghe

Viktor Fayzulin is a Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder who fulfils a range of roles in midfield—from holding player, to knitting moves together in the centre or even as a more advanced option breaking into the attack from the second line.

That he has just 16 caps is partly because of the presence in the squad of long-time immovable regulars, but Fayzulin brings his own reliability and mobility to the table and should offer a good alternative for Russia.

He's another who could be a game changer—or, more aptly, a game controller—for his nation and make a big impact.

Kim Young-Gwon, Korea Republic

Ahn Young-joon

Korea Republic will look for Kim Young-Gwon to be riding the crest of a wave when he hits the World Cup finals, for its he who'll have to lead their defence to success against the likes of Russia and Belgium.

The Guangzhou Evergrande centre-back has matured and improved immeasurably over the past 18 months or so, playing a big part in the team's Asian Champions League success. With 19 caps, he is now on his way to being established as one of the top players in the national team squad.